Can You Fix Receding Gums?

Have you recently noticed that your gums appear to be pulling back and more of your teeth are showing? You may have receding gums. The good news is that receding gums can be fixed with the right dental care. Below is more information on the common causes of receding gums and the steps you can take to treat the condition.

What Are Receding Gums?

Receding gums is a highly prevalent dental condition in which the gum tissue around the teeth pulls back and progressively recedes, revealing more of the underlying tooth and the tooth’s root. While there are many potential causes of receding gums, the biggest issue is that when they pull back, it can create pockets between the gum and tooth where bacteria build up and accumulate. Over time, these bacteria will cause damage to the gum tissue and teeth and may even result in tooth loss.

Common Causes of Receding Gums

There are many factors that can cause the gums to recede. Some of these may be surprising to you, including:

  1. Periodontal disease: Infection in the gums, caused by bacteria, can cause the gums to pull back from the teeth. The earliest stage of periodontal disease, or gum disease, may be difficult to notice, and can include symptoms such as red or swollen gums that feel tender or bleed.
  2. Genetics: Up to 30% of the adult population may be genetically predisposed to gum disease, even with proper oral hygiene.
  3. Brushing too hard: Brushing the teeth too aggressively with poor technique or a stiff brush may cause damage to the gum tissue.
  4. Poor dental care: Regularly ignoring daily brushing and flossing will allow plaque to build up along the gumline, which will eventually turn into hardened tartar. The gums will pull away from the teeth to avoid this tartar and bacteria.
  5. Hormone levels: For women, periods of extreme changes in hormones, including swings in estrogen, can cause the gums to be increasingly sensitive.
  6. Tobacco products: Regularly using tobacco products will lead to sticky plaque buildup along the gums. Additionally, smoking reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the gums when they are infected, delaying healing.

How Do I Treat Receding Gums?

In most cases, gum recession can be treated by a dental professional. They will likely start with a professional deep cleaning, called a scaling and root planing procedure. During the cleaning, plaque and tartar are removed from along and below the gumline, and the root area is smoothed to make it hard for bacteria to build up in the future. More advanced cases may require a more serious treatment, such as antibiotics in addition to the deep cleaning. If deep cleaning does not fully treat the condition, surgery may be necessary.

Receding gums are a very common dental condition that may be caused by a combination of genetics, brushing too hard, poor dental care, hormone levels, tobacco use, and gum disease. If you think your gums may be receding, you should have a conversation with your dental provider as soon as possible and discuss treatment options.

Related Article: Receding Gums Symptoms